Apparatus for the production of filter cigarettes and the like



1967 w. RUDSZINAT APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FILTER CIGARETTES ANDTHE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Nov. 21, 1961 INVENTOR Feb. 28,1967 w. RUDSZINAT 3,306,306

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF FILTER CIGARETTES AND THE LIKE OriginalFiled Nov. 21, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 N VE N TOR 17/5 3 IZILMIIZZUQILFeb. 28, 1967 w RUDSZ|NAT 3,306,306

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FILTER CIGARETTES AND THE LIKE OriginalF'iled Nov. 21, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 28, 1967 w. RUDSZINAT3,306,306

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FILTER CIGARETTES AND THE LIKE OriginalFiled Nov. 21, 1961 4 SheetsSheet 4 INVENTOR. 4 [5/7 AQLLL'LFL/LZQL BY3,306,306 APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FILTER CIGARETTES AND THE LIKEWilly Rudszinat, Hamburg-Lohbrugge, Germany, assignor to Hauni Wel'keKoerber & (10., Kg., Hamburg- Bergedorf, Germany Original applicationNov. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 153,926, now Patent No. 3,245,414, dated Apr.12, 1966. Divided and this application Apr. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 449,455

14 Claims. (Cl. 131-94) This is a division of my copending applicationSerial No. 153,926, filed November 21, 1961, now Patent No. 3,245,414.

The present invention relates to the manufacture of filter cigarettesand other types of rod-shaped or stickshaped smokers articles, and moreparticularly to the production of filter cigarettes or filter cigarswhose mouthpieces consist of at least two distinct rod-shaped filterelements of unit length.

An important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for theproduction of filter cigarettes or filter cigars in a continuousoperation by starting with cigarette or cigar sticks of unit length and/or multiple unit length and with filter rods whose length is a multipleof the length of filter elements in the mouthpieces of the ultimateproducts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the justoutlined characteristics wherein a cigarette or cigar stick can beassembled with two or more filter elements into a filter cigarettehaving a duplex triplex, quadruplex, etc. mouthpiece and a minimum ofwrapping material.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for theproduction of filter cigarettes or filter cigars of the type wherein thefilter elements which together constitute the mouthpiece need not beconnected with each other prior to their connection with the cigaretteor cigar stick.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whichis capable of producing filter cigarettes or filter cigars in such a waythat a single wrapper of paper or other suitable wrapping materialsuflices to secure the filter elements to each other and to secure thefilter elements to the tobacco-containing sticks.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of theabove outlined characteristics wherein a plurality of filter cigarettesor filter cigars may be produced in a simultaneous operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a very simple, compactand rugged apparatus for the manufacture of cigarettes or cigarswith-duplex, triplex, quadruplex, etc. mouthpieces which utilizes asingle wrapping station where the filter elements of the mouthpiece areconnected to each other and with the tobacco-containing sticks.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of theabove outlined character wherein the production of filter elements ofrequisite length, the alignment of filter elements with each other andwith the tobacco-containing sticks, as well as the connection of filterelements to each other and to the tobacco-containing sticks may takeplace in a continuous operation.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for theproduction of filter cigarettes or filter cigars with compositemouthpieces wherein mouthpieces of double unit length can besimultaneously assembled with a pair of tobacco-containing sticks ofunit length so that a single cut is necessary to transform filter cigarsor filter cigarettes of double unit length into pairs of cigars orcigarettes of unit length but having duplex mouthpieces.

. United States Patent 3,306,306 Patented Feb. 28, 1967 It is also anobject of my invention to provide an improved rod-shaped smokers articlewhich is produced in an apparatus of the above outlined type.

Briefly stated, one feature of the present invention resides in theprovision of an apparatus which includes means for forming a compositemouthpiece by shufiling or interdigitating a pair of filter elements ofa first type with a filter of a second type so that the filter of thesecond type is located between the filter elements of the first type andforms therewith a duplex mouthpiece of double unit length, means forforming a filter cigar or filter cigarette of double unit length byshuffling the mouthpiece of double unit length with a pair oftobaccoeontaining sticks of unit length so that the mouthpiece islocated between the tobacco-containing sticks, means for applying asingle wrapper of paper or another suitable wrapping material about themouthpiece and about the adjacent portions of the tobacco-containingsticks, and means for subdividing the resulting cigar or cigarette ofdouble unit length into a pair of filter cigars or filter cigarettes ofunit length each of which comprises a duplex mouthpiece of unit length.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, theimproved apparatus may be used for the production of filter cigarettesand then comprises a first rotary shufiling or interdigitating drumwhich is provided with a plurality of axially parallel peripheralgrooves or holders, means for consecutively delivering filters of doubleunit length and pairs of filter elements of unit length into the holdersof the shuflling drum so that each filter is located between and forms aduplex mouthpiece of double unit length with a pair of such filterelements, a second rotary shuffling or interdigitating drum which isprovided with a plurality of axially parallel peripheral pockets orholders adapted to receive duplex mouthpieces of double unit length aswell as to receive pairs of coaxial but spaced cigarette sticks of unitlength so that the mouthpieces are disposed between the respective pairsof cigarette sticks, and means for consecutively applying wrappers aboutthe duplex mouthpieces of double unit length and about the adjacentportions of the cigarette sticks.

The means for producing and feeding filter elements of the first typemay comprise a hopper arranged to consecutively discharge filter rods ofmultiple unit length into the grooves or holders of a transfer drum(also called saddle wheel). Cutter means are provided for halving and,if necessary, further subdividing the filter rods so that each thereofyields a plurality of axially aligned plugs of double unit length, and astaggering drum is used to arrange or array the thus obtained plugs insuch a way that the plug are staggered in the direction in which thestaggering drum rotates. An aligning drum is located between thestaggering drum and the first sh-uffiing drum for arranging suchstaggered plugs in a single file and this aligning drum cooperates witha cutter which subdivides each consecutive plug into a pair of coaxialfilter elements of unit length. A spreading drum serves to move thefilter elements of each pair axially and away from each other in such away that the pairs of filter elements delivered to the first shufflingdrum define between themselves gaps each adapted to accommodate a filterof the second type.

If the filters of the second type are of double unit length and areobtained by halving or by further subdividing elongated filter rods ofmultiple unit length into a plurality of shorter filters of double unitlength, the means for delivering filters of the second type to the firstshufliing drum preferably comprises all of the elements constituting thearrangement which delivers filter elements of the first type exceptingthat one of the cutters and the spreading drum may be dispensed withbecause each filter of the second type and of double unit length isreceived between a pair of filter elements of unit length of the firsttype.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theimproved apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and itsmode of operation, together with additional features and advantagesthereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detaileddescription of certain specific embodiments with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus which is used for theproduction of filter cigarettes and embodies one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the sequence in which filtercirgarettes having duplex mouthpieces are assembled in the apparatus ofFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a modified source of pair-wise arrangedtobacco-containing sticks which delivers such sticks directly into thepockets or holders of the second shuffling drum; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a further apparatus.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an apparatus forassembling filter cigarettes with duplex mouthpieces. The apparatuscomprises a source of a first type of filters (hereinafter called whitefilters) shown in the form of a magazine or hopper 1 wherein whitefilter rods 25 of eight times unit length are stacked and consecutivelydischarged by gravity feed by descending through a chute 1a to enterconsecutive axially parallel peripheral grooves or holders of a transferdrum 2, also called saddle wheel, which is driven to rotate in adirection indicated by the arrow and to advance the rods 25 seriatimpast a rotary halving cutter 3 which severs each rod 25 midway betweenits ends so that such rods yields pairs of white filter members 27 and28 of quadruple unit length (see also FIG. 3). Such white filter members27, 28 are then advanced by the transfer drum 2 past a pair of spacedcoaxial rotary subdividing cutters 4 (only one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2)which respectively sever the white filter members 27, 28 so that suchfilter members respectively yield two white filters 31, 32 and 33, 34 ofdouble unit length (see also FIG. 3), i.e., the length of each of thewhite filters 31-34 is twice the length of a white filter element asutilized in the duplex mouthpiece of a filter cigarette.

The white filters 31-34 of double unit length which are obtained byhalving the white filter rods 25 of eight times unit length and bythereupon subdividing the thus obtained white filter members 27, 28 ofquadruple unit length are then transferred into consecutive axiallyparallel peripheral grooves or holders formed in the four disks 6, 7, 8and 9 of a revolving staggering drum 5 so that the filters 31 aretransferred into the grooves of the smallest disk 6, that the filters 32are transferred into the grooves of the larger disk 7, that the filters33 are transferred into the grooves of the next-larger disk 8, and thatthe filters 34 are transferred into the grooves of the largest disk 9.

The staggering drum 5 transfers white filters 3134 to a shifting oraligning drum which rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow andarrays the filters 31-34 in a single file so that the longitudinal endsof these filters are disposed in two parallel planes which are normal tothe axis of the shifting drum 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the disks 69 ofthe drum 5 deliver the filters 31-34 into the space between a pair offixed arcuate guide rails or cams 10a which are adjacent to theperiphery of the drum 10 and converge in the direction in which the drum10 rotates so as to compel the filters 31-34 to move toward the centralportion of the periphery of the drum 10 while simultaneously advancingtoward a first shuffiing or interdigitating drum 22. Thus, the cams 10acooperate with the drum 10 to shift the filters 31-34 axially and toarray such filters in a single file. It is clear that the cams 1011 maybe arranged to shift only three filters of each group of four filters3134 so that such three filters of each group will move into registrywith the fourth filter.

The staggering drum 5 is in linear contact with the transfer drum 2 andwith the shifting drum 10, i.e., the axes of its disks 6-9 are parallelwith each other and are located in a plane which is normal to the planepassing through the axes of the drums 2 and 10.

The apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 further comprises a source of filter rods26 of a second type (hereinafter called black filter rods), and thissource is shown in the form of a magazine or hopper 101. The rods 26 areof eight times unit length. The chute 1010 in the bottom part of thehopper 101 delivers such black filter rods 26 seriatim into the axiallyparallel peripheral grooves or holders of a second transfer drum orsaddle wheel 102 which cooperates with a first rotary cutter 103 tohalve each black filter rod 26 in order to form pairs of black filtermembers 29, 30 of quadruple unit length (see also FIG. 3), and thetransfer drum 102 also cooperates with a pair of spaced coaxial rotarycutters 104 (only one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) which respectivelysubdivide the filter members 29, 30 so that each black filter rod 26ultimately yields four black filters or plugs 35, 36, 37 and 38 ofdouble unit length. Such black filters or plugs of double unit lengthare thereupon transferred into the axially parallel peripheral groovesor holders of four disks 106, 107, 108, 109 which together constitute asecond staggering drum 105. The diameter of the disk 108 for the plugs37 is smaller than the diameter of the disk 109 for the plugs 38, thediameter of the disk 107 for the plugs 36 is smaller than the diameterof the disk 108, and the diameter of the disk 106 for the plugs 35 issmaller than the diameter of the disk 107. The staggering drum transfersblack plugs 3538 of double unit length obtained by severing consecutiveblack filter rods 26 onto the periphery of a second shifting or aligningdrum 110 which cooperates with a pair of converging arcuate rails orcams 110a (only one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) so as to perform a functionanalogous to that of the drum 10 and cams 10a by arraying the blackplugs 35-38 of double unit length in a single file located between apair of spaced parallel planes which are normal to the axis of theshifting drum 110.

The single file of black plugs 35-38 of double unit length is thenconveyed into the peripheral grooves or holders of a transfer drum 20which advances the plugs seriatim past a rotary cutter 21 so that eachblack plug is ultimately halved and yields a pair of black filterelements 39, 40 of unit length, i.e., of such length as is necessary ina duplex mouthpiece of unit length. The length of each black filterelement 39 or 40 is selected in such a way that one such filter element,together with one-half of a white filter 31, 32, 33 or 34 of double unitlength, forms a duplex mouthpiece of unit length.

The transfer drum 20 cooperates with a spreading drum 23 which moves theblack filter elements 39, 40 of each pair away from each other, i.e.,this drum 23 spaces or separates the aligned black filter elements 39,40 to such an extent that they define between themselves a space or gaphaving a length which suffices to accommodate one of the white filters31, 32, 33 or 34 of double unit length. The spreading drum 23 comprisesa pair of disks, 23a, 23b which rotate about mutually inclined axes sothat these disks converge at a point which is adjacent to the transferdrum 20 but diverge while advancing toward the first shuffling orinterdigitating drum 22.

The purpose of the first shuffling drum 22 is to assembleblack-and-white mouthpieces of double unit length each consisting of twoaxially spaced black filter elements 39, 40 of unit length and a whitefilter 31, 32, 33 or 34 of double unit length. A duplex mouthpiececonsisting, for example, of two black filter elements 39, 40 and a whitefilter 31 is a loose structure because its three rodshaped componentsare normally somewhat spaced from each other. This is due to the factthat the gaps between the filter elements 39, 40 in the holders of theshuffling drum 22 are preferably at least slightly longer than a filter31, 32, 33 or 34 of double unit length in order to prevent jamming andpile-up of such rod-shaped components. The thus obtained duplexmouthpieces of double unit length are transported by the shuffling drum22 toward and into consecutive pockets or holders of a transfer drum 24which advances such duplex mouthpieces into the central portions ofconsecutive pockets or holders provided in the periphery of a secondshuffling or interdigitating drum 11. The holders or pockets of theshufliing drum 11 are parallel with the axis about which the drum 11rotates and each thereof receives a pair of coaxially aligned but spacedcigarette sticks 41, 42 of unit length from a suitable source includinga supply drum 12. Thus, and since the shuffling drum 11 also receivesduplex mouthpieces of double unit length (from the transfer drum 24)each of its holders will accommodate a pair of cigarette sticks 41, 42of unit length and a mouthpiece 39, 31, 40 or 39, 32, 40 or 39, 33, 40or 39, 34, 40 of double unit length.

The thus obtained composite but still loose assemblies each of whichincludes two black filter elements 39, 40 of unit length, a white filter31 or 32 or 33 or 34 of double unit length and two cigarette sticks 41,42 of unit length are thereupon transferred into the pockets or holdersof an assembly drum 13 which also receives suitably spaced bands 43 ofadhesive-coated paper-like wrapping material 44 from a band-applyingroller 14. The wrapping material 44 is convoluted to form a bobbin orreel 45 and is paid out in the form of a strip or tape which is severedat regular intervals by a revolving knife roll 15 cooperating withroller 14 and having axially parallel radially outwardly extendingknives 15a. The assembly drum 13 delivers the assembies, each of whichnow includes a band 43, into the peripheral grooves or holders of awrapping drum 16 so that the assemblies consisting of two cigarettesticks 41, 42 of unit length,

two black filter elements 39, 40 of unit length, one white filter 31,32, 33 or 34 of double unit length and a band 43 are transformed intofilter cigarettes of double unit length. Such wrapping operation iscarried out by convoluting the bands 43 around the respective whitefilters, around the respective black filter elements, and around theadjoining inner end portions of the cigarette sticks. The resultingfilter cigarettes of double unit length are delivered into the holdersor pockets of a transfer drum 17 which cooperates with a revolving diskknife 18 to subdivide each such filter cigarette of double unit lengthinto a pair of filter cigarettes Z Z of unit length. The knife 18 seversthe convoluted wrappers 43 and the white filters 31, 32, 33 or 34 sothat each such white filter yields two white filter elements 31a, 31b ofunit length. The length of white filter elements 31a, 31b may but neednot equal the length of black filter elements 39, 40. The filtercigarettes Z and Z of unit length are delivered onto the upper run of anendless band conveyor 19 which serves as a collecting conveyor andadvances the cigarettes to a storing station, a packing station, aninverting station wherein one of the cigarettes is turned through 180degrees so that its mouthpiece faces in the same direction as themouthpiece of the non-inverted cigarette, or to another destination.

The wrapping drum 16 may be constructed and assembled in a manner asdisclosed in US. Patent No. 2,902,040 to Kurt Korber et al.

The underside of the tape 44 is coated with adhesive while advancingalong a paster shown in FIG. 2 and in cluding a tank 46, a transfer roll47 which dips into adhesive contained in the tank 46, and a roll-shapedapplicator 48 whose periphery is provided with a film of adhesive bycontact with the transfer roll 47. The applicator 48 rolls along theunderside of the tape 44.

The apparatus of my present invention further comprises suitableretainers in the form of arcuate shields 49 (see FIG. 2) which retainblack and white filter rods, filters, plugs, filter elements,mouthpieces and cigarette sticks in the holders of the respectiveconveyors. The exact construction and mounting of such shields is wellknown and forms no part of the present invention. The drive means whichrotates the rollers, rolls, wheels and drums in directions indicated bythe arrows may include suitable gear trains, belt-and-pulleyarrangements or the like. One form of drive means capable of beingadapted for use in the apparatus of the present invention is disclosedin US. Patent No. 2,714,384 to Schubert.

Prior to reaching the holders of the assembly drum 13, the assembliesincluding the cigarette sticks 41, 42 of unit length, filter elements39, 40 of unit length and filters 31, 32, 33 or 34 of double unit lengthare compressed or condensed in the axial direction thereof so that theends of the filter elements 39, 40 respectively abut against thecigarette sticks 41, 42 and also against the respective ends of thefilters 31, 32, 33 or 34. Thus, when an adhesive-coated band 43 isapplied to and is wrapped around the respective duplex mouthpiece ofdouble unit length to form a tube which connects the component parts ofthe duplex mouthpiece to each other and to the cigarette sticks, thetotal length of the assembly equals the combined length of the filtercigarettes Z and Z Such axial compression or condensing of a compositeassembly including two or more cigarette sticks and one or more filtersand/or filter elements is well known in the art (see, for example, US.Patent No. 2,902,040 to Korber et a1.) and, therefore, the means forcarrying out such condensing operation are not shown in the drawings.

The operation of the improved apparatus will be best understood withreference to FIG. 3 which illustrates various stages in the productionof filter cigarettes with duplex mouthpieces. Thus, and starting in theupper left-hand corner of FIG. 3, white filter rods 25 delivered by thechute 1a of the hopper 1 are halved by the cutter 3 to yield filtermembers 27, 28 which are then severed by the rotary cutters 4 torespectively yield white filters 31, 32 and 33, 34 of double unitlength. While travelling with the disks 69 of the staggering drum 5, thefilters 31-34 are staggered in the circumferential direction of the drum5 so that the filters 34, 33, 32 respectively lag behind the filters 33,32, 31. In the next step, the cams 10a compel the filters 3134 to form asingle file, with the filter 31 leading, so that the filter 31 is firstto be transferred into the median portion of a peripheral holder in thefirst shufiiing or interdigitating drum 22.

The black filter rods 26 are discharged through the chute 101a of thehopper 101 and are severed by the cutter 103 while advancing with thetransfer drum 102 so that each such rod yields two filter members 29, 30of quadruple unit length. Such filter members 29, 30 are then severed bythe cutters 104 to respectively yield filters or plugs 35, 36 and 37, 38of double unit length. The plugs 3538 are axially aligned and enter theholders of the drum 105 which staggers them in the circumferentialdirection and insuch a way that the plug 35 reaches the shifting oraligning drum ahead of the plugs 36, 37, 38, that the plug 36 reachesthe drum 110 ahead of the plugs 37, 38 and that the plug 37 reaches thedrum 110 ahead of the plug 38. The cams 110a cooperate with the drum 110to array the plugs 3538 in a single file which is delivered to thetransfer drum 20 and advances past the cutter 21 which severs each plugmidway between the ends so that each such plug yields two filterelements 39, 40, of unit length. The spreading drum 23 causes the filterelements 39, 40 of each pair to move axially and away from each otherand such spreading action is completed before the filter elements 39, 40reach the holders of the first shufilng drum 22. The resulting gapsbetween the filter elements 39, 40 are long enough to accommodate afilter 31, 32, 33 or 34. Such filters are delivered by the shifting oraligning drum 10. The resulting duplex mouthpieces of double unit lengthcomprise three axially aligned but unconnected rodshaped parts includingtwo spaced-apart filter elements 39, 40 and a white filter 31, 32, 33 or34 of double unit length which is located between the respective filterelements. Such mouthpieces of double unit length are transferred intothe holders of the second shufilng drum 11 simultaneously with pairs ofspaced-apart cigarette sticks 41, 42 of unit length, such cigarettesticks being delivered by the supply drum 12. Prior to leaving thesecond shuffling drum 11, the assemblies of cigarette sticks, blackfilter elements and white filters are condensed by moving the cigarettestick 41 in a direction toward the cigarette stick 42 and/ or vice versaso that the inner ends of the cigarette sticks respectively abut againstthe outer ends of the black filter elements 40, 39 and that the innerends of the black filter 39, 40 elements abut against the respectiveends of the white filter 31, 32, 33 or 34. The thus condensed assembliesare delivered into the holders of the assembly drum 13 and each thereofreceives a band 43 which is applied by the roller 14. The band 43 iswrapped around the respective condensed assembly while the assemblytravels with the Wrapping drum 16 in a direction toward the transferdrum 17 so that each such assembly forms a filter cigarette of doubleunit length. The drum 17 cooperates with the cutter 18 which severs eachconvoluted wrapper 43 so that the mouthpiece is halved whereby theholders of the drum 17 contain pairs of filter cigarettes Z Z of unitlength each of which comprises a duplex mouthpiece of unit length. Asshown in FIG. 3, the mouthpiece of the cigarette Z comprises a blackfilter element 39 of unit length and a white filter element 31b of unitlength. The mouthpiece of the cigarette Z comprises a black filterelement 40 of unit length and a white filter element 31a of unit length.The convoluted wrapper 43 is transformed into a pair of tubes 43b, 43awhich respectively connect the filter elements 31b, 39 and 31a, 40 tothe cigarette sticks 42, 41. The cigarettes Z Z are deposited on theupper run of the belt 19. It will be seen that the black filter elements39, 40 respectively abut against the inner ends of the cigarette sticks42, 41 and that one end of each of the white filter elements 31b, 31a isexposed. It will also be noted that the tubes 43b, 43a constitute thesole means for connecting the black filter elements 39, 40 with thewhite filter elements 31b, 31a and cigarette sticks 42, 41. In otherwords, the wrappers 43 constitute the sole means for connecting morethan two coaxial rod-shaped members to each other, and such wrappers 43are applied to and convoluted about all of the corresponding rod-shapedmembers in a single operation, namely while travelling about the axes ofthe drums 13 and 16. It is obvious that the assembly drum 13 may alsoserve as a wrapping drum, that the transfer drum 17 may be omitted ifthe cutter 18 is placed adjacent to the wrapping drum 16 (see FIG. andthat the shufiling drums 22, 11 may be replaced by a single shuffling orinterdigitating drum which receives white filters of double unit lengthfrom the shifting drum 10, pairs of black filter elements from thespreading drum 23, and pairs of cigarette sticks 41, 42 from the supplydrum 12.

It is further to be understood that each of the individual filterelements 31a, 31b, 39, 40 may consist of two or more difierent filtermaterials and which may be produced in a manner as disclosed in US.Patent No. 3,039,- 367 to Stelzer, and that it is equally possible tosimultaneously produce four, six or more filter cigarettes of unitlength merely by arranging the drums, rollers, rolls, wheels and othercomponent parts in such a way that two or more duplex mouthpieces ofdouble unit length are simultaneously shuffled with four, six, etc.cigarette sticks of unit length. In such modified apparatus, all but thetwo outermost cigarette sticks may be of double unit length and suchsticks of double unit length are halved prior to reaching the upper runof the belt 19.

If a supply of white filters 31, 32, 33 and/or 34 is already available,and if a supply of black filters 0r plugs 35, 36, 37 and/or 38 is alsoavailable, the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be further simplified byarranging the hopper 1 (with a supply of filters 31, 32, 33 and/or 34therein) in such a way that the chute 1a delivers directly into theholders of the first shufiiing drum 22 and by mounting the hopper 101(with a supply of filters or plugs 35, 36, 37 and/or 38 therein) in sucha manner that the chute 101a delivers directly into the holders of thetransfer drum 20. The plugs travelling with the transfer drum 20 aresevered by the cutter 21 so that each thereof yields a pair of blackfilter elements 39, 40 which are then moved axially and away from eachother (drum 23) prior to entering the holders of the first shufilingdrum 22. In other words, the drums 2, 102 and the drums 5, are necessaryonly in the event that the operation begins with white filter rods 25Whose length is a whole multiple of the length of the white filterelements 31a, 3112 as used in a duplex mouthpiece of unit length, andwith black filter rods 26 whose length is also a whole multiple of thelength of black filter elements 39, 40 as used in such duplexmouthpieces of unit length. In fact, even the spreading drum 23 may beomitted if the apparatus comprises two hoppers as a substitute for thehopper 101 and if such hoppers deliver filter elements 39 and 40directly into the holders of the first shuffling drum 22 where theduplex mouthpieces of double unit length are assembled. Thismodification is illustrated in FIG. 5 which shows a single shufilingdrum 11, a composite magazine 201, 301, 401 having chutes 201a, 301a,401a which respectively feed filters 31, filter elements 39 and filterelements 40 directly into the holders of the drum 11, a drum 12 whichdelivers pairs of cigarette sticks 41, 42 directly into the holders ofthe drum 11, an assembly drum 13 which receives assemblies from the drum11, a suction drum 14 which supplies wrappers 43, a wrapping drum 16which cooperates with the cutter 18, and a belt 19.

FIGS. 2 and 5 show a so-called kicker 50 (see the disclosure of US.Patent No. 2,917,156 to Pollmann) which is utilized to transfer pairs ofcigarette sticks 41, 42 into the holders of the supply drum 12. Thiskicker 50 may be replaced by a source 51, shown in FIG. 4, whichincludes a magazine having a chute 51a arranged to deliver pairs ofaligned cigarette sticks 41, 42 directly into the pockets of the secondshufiling drum 11.

The exact composition of the filter rods 25 and 26 forms no part of myinvention. For example, the filter rods 25 may be acetate filters andthe rods 26 may be carbon filters. Also, the preceding detaileddescription of the invention refers to an apparatus for the productionof filter cigarettes. It is obvious that this apparatus may be used withequal advantage in the production of other types of rod-shaped smokersarticles, such as filter tipped cigars, cigarillos, cheroots and thelike.

In the apparatus of the present invention, all rodshaped members arepreferably moved sideways, i.e., in a direction which is normal orsubstantially normal to their axes. The sole exception constitute thecigarette sticks which move axially into the range of the kicker 50shown in FIG. 2. However, once they enter the holders of the supply drum12, all of the cigarettes 41, 42 advance sideways in the same way as thefilter material.

In the appended claims, the term conveyor or conveyor means is intendedto embrace rotary drums or any analogous or equivalent conveyingstructure which is capable of advancing tobacco-containing sticks and/orrod-shaped filter members sideways, i.e., in a direction substantiallyat right angles with reference to the axes of such rod-shaped bodies.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can,

by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applicationswithout omitting features which fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic and specific aspects of my contributionto the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended tobe comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. An an apparatus for producing rod-shaped smokers articles of doubleunit length having multiplex mouthpieces of double unit length andincluding a pair of axially spaced tobacco-containing sticks, a pair ofrod-shaped filter elements of a first type and of unit length axiallyspaced from each other and located between the sticks, a rod-shapedfilter of a second type and of double unit length located between thefilter elements, and a single tubular wrapper constituting the solemeans for connecting the filter elements to the filter and to theadjacent portions of the sticks, in combination, separate sources offilters, adhesive-coated Wrappers and pairs of sticks; a separate sourceof filter element rods of multiple unit length; means for subdividingeach multiple length rod into successive pairs of filter elements, eachof said pairs of filter elements being axially aligned and spaced fromeach other; conveyor means comprising a plurality of equidistantparallel holding means and arranged to advance such holding meanssideways; means for feeding said filters, said pairs of filter elementsand said pairs of sticks into consecutive holding means of said conveyormeans in such a way that the thus fed rod-shaped parts advance onlysideways all the way from the respective sources, into, and also withthe respective holding means to form in each holding means anunconnected assembly of a filter, a pair of filter elements and a pairof sticks; means for feeding said single wrapper each to consecutiveholding means; and means for convoluting such wrappers around thefilters, filter elements and sticks in the respective holding means.

2. An apparatus for producing rod-shaped smokers articles of double unitlength having multiplex mouthpieces of double unit length and includinga pair of axially spaced tobacco-containing sticks, a pair of rod-shapedfilter elements of a first type and of unit length axially spaced fromeach other and located between the sticks, a rod-shaped filter of asecond type and of double unit length located between the filterelements, and a single tubular wrapper constituting the sole means forconnecting the filter elements to the filter and to the adjacentportions of the sticks, said apparatus comprising separate sources offilters, pairs of filter elements and pairs of tobacco-containingsticks; conveyor means comprising a plurality of equidistant parallelholders and arranged to advance such holders sideways; means for feedingfilters, pairs of filter elements and pairs of sticks from therespective sources and into consecutive holders of said conveyor meansin such a way that all of the rod-shaped parts move only sideways allthe way from the respective sources, into, and also with the respectiveholders whereby each of said holders accommodates an unconnectedassembly of rod-shaped components including a pair of sticks, a pair offilter elements between the respective pair of sticks and a filterbetween the respective pair of filter elements; means for attaching asingle adhesive-coated wrapper to each consecutive assembly; andwrapping means for convoluting the wrappers around the respectiveassemblies while the assemblies move sideways.

3. An apparatus for producing rod-shaped smokers articles of double unitlength having multiplex mouthpieces of double unit length and includinga pair of axially spaced tobacco-containing sticks, a pair of axiallyspaced rod-shaped filter elements of a first type and of unit lengthdisposed between the sticks, a rod-shaped filter of a second type and ofdouble unit length disposed between the filter elements, and a singletubular wrapper constituting the sole means for connecting the filterelements with the filter and with the sticks, said apparatus comprisinga first rotary shuffling drum having axially parallel equidistantperipheral holders; means for feeding filters sideways into consecutiveholders of said drum; means for feeding pairs of filter elementssideways into consecutive holders so that each filter is disposedbetween and forms with the respective pair of filter elements amultiplex mouthpiece of double unit length composed of unconnectedrod-shaped components; a second rotary shuffling drum having a pluralityof axially parallel equidistant peripheral holders; means fortransferring the mouthpieces from the holders of said first drum intoconsecutive holders of said second drum; means for feeding pairs ofsticks into consecutive holders of said second drum so that eachmouthpiece is disposed between a pair of sticks and that eachconsecutive holder of said second drum accommodates an unconnectedassembly of two sticks, two filter elements and a filter; and means forconvoluting a single adhesive-coated wrapper around each consecutivemouthpiece and about the adjacent portions of the respective sticks.

4. An apparatus for producing rod-shaped smokers articles of double unitlength having multiplex mouthpieces of double unit length and includinga pair of axially spaced tobacco-containing sticks, a pair of axiallyspaced rod-shaped filter elements of a first type and of unit lengthdisposed between the sticks, a rod-shaped filter of a second type and ofdouble unit length disposed between the filter elements, and a singletubular wrapper constituting the sole means for connecting the filterelements with the filter and with the sticks, said apparatus comprisinga source of filters; a source of pairs of filter elements; a source ofpairs of tobacco-containing sticks; a source of adhesive-coatedwrappers; a first rotary shuffling drum having axially parallelequidistant peripheral holders; means for feeding filters from therespective source into consecutive holders of said drum; means forfeeding pairs of axially spaced filter elements only sideways all theway from the respective source and into consecutive holders of said drumso that each filter is disposed between and forms with the respectivepair of filter elements a multiplex mouthpiece of double unit lengthcomposed of unconnected rod-shaped components; a second rotary shufiiingdrum having a plurality of axially parallel equidistant peripheralholders; means for feeding mouthpieces from the holders of said firstdrum into consecutive holders of said second drum; means for feedingpairs of axially spaced tobaccocontaining sticks from the respectivesource into consecutive holders of said second drum so that eachmouthpiece is located between the respective pair of sticks and thateach consecutive holder of said second drum accommodates an unconnectedassembly of two sticks, tWo filter elements and a filter; and means forfeeding adhesive-coated wrappers from the respective source and forconvoluting such wrappers around consecutive mouthpieces and around theadjacent portions of the sticks so as to form smokers articles of doubleunit length each of which comprises a single convoluted wrapper.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said first named sourcecomprises means for consecutively discharging a series of filter rods ofthe second type and of multiple unit length, said means for feedingfilters of the second type into the holders of said first drumcomprising cutting means for subdividing consecutive filter rods intofilters of the second type and of double unit length, a rotarystaggering drum disposed intermediate said cutting means and said firstshuffling drum for staggering the filters obtained by subdivision ofconsecutive filter rods in the direction in which said staggering drumrotates, and an aligning drum disposed between said staggering drum andsaid first shufiiing drum for arraying the thus staggered filters in asingle file.

6. An apparatus for producing rod-shaped smokers articles havingmultiplex mouthpieces of double unit length and including a pair ofaxially spaced wrapped tobacco-containing sticks, a pair of axiallyspaced rodshaped filter elements of a first type and of unit lengthdisposed between the sticks, a rod-shaped filter of a second type and ofdouble unit length disposed between the filter elements, and a singletubular wrapper constituting the sole means for connecting the filterelements with the filter and with the sticks, said apparatus comprisingfirst shufiling conveyor means having a plurality of elongated holdermeans and arranged to advance said holder means sideways; means forfeeding filters into consecutive holder means of said first convey-ormeans; means for feeding pairs of axially spaced filter elements intoconsecutive holder means of said first conveyor means so that eachfilter is disposed between and forms with the respective pair of filterelements a multiplex mouthpiece of double unit length composed ofunconnected rod-shaped components; second shuffling conveyor meanshaving a pluarlity of elongated holder means and arranged to advancesuch holder means sideways; means for feeding mouthpieces from saidfirst conveyor means into consecutive holder means of said secondconveyor means; means for feeding pairs of axially spaced wrappedtobacco-containing sticks into consecutive holder means of said secondconveyor means so that each mouthpiece is disposed between therespective pair of sticks and that each consecutive holder means of saidsecond shutfiing conveyor means accommodates an unconnected assembly oftwo sticks, two filter elements and a filter; and means for applying andconvoluting adhesive-coated wrappers around consecutive mouthpieces andaround the adjacent portions of the respective pairs of sticks to formsmokers articles of double unit length each of which contains a singleconvoluted wrapper.

7. An apparatus for producing rod-shaped smokers articles havingmultiplex mouthpieces of double unit length and including a pair ofaxially spaced wrapped tobaccocontaining sticks, a pair of axiallyspaced rod-shaped filter elements of a first type and of unit lengthdisposed between the sticks, a rod-shaped filter of a second type and ofdouble unit length disposed between the filter elements, and a singleadhesive-coated tubular wrapper constituting the sole means forconnecting the filter elements with the filter and with the sticks, saidapparatus comprising a source of filters; a source of pairs of filterelements; a source of pairs of wrapped tobacco-containing sticks; asource of adhesive-coated wrappers; first shufiling conveyor meanshaving elongated holder means and arranged to advance said holder meanssideways; means for feeding filters from the respective source intoconsecutive holder means of said first conveyor means; means for feedingpairs of axially spaced filter elements only sideways from therespective source and into consecutive holder means of said firstconveyor means so that each filter is disposed between the respectivepair of filter elements and forms therewith a multiplex mouthpiece ofdouble unit length composed of unconnected rod-shaped components; secondshuffling conveyor means having a plurality of elongated holder meansand arranged to move such holder means sideways; means for feedingmouthpieces from said first conveyor means into consecutive holder meansof said second conveyor means; means for feeding pairs of axially spacedtobacco-containing sticks from the respective source into consecutiveholder means of said second conveyor means so that each mouthpiece islocated between the respective pair of sticks and that each consecutiveholder means of said second conveyor means accommodates an unconnectedassembly including a pair of sticks, a pair of filter elements and afilter; and means for feeding wrappers from the respective source andfor applying and convoluting such wrappers around consecutivemouthpieces and around the adjacent portions of the respective pairs ofsticks so as to form rodprises a single convoluted wrapper.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said first named sourcecomprises means for discharging a series of filter rods of the secondtype and of multiple unit length sideways, said means for feedingfilters of the second type to consecutive holder means of said firstconveyor means comprising cutting means for subdividing consecutivefilter rods into filters of the second type and of double unit length,staggering means disposed intermediate said cutting means and said firstconveyor means for staggering the filters obtained by subdivision ofconsecutive filter rods in the direction in which said staggering meansproceeds, and aligning means disposed between said staggering means andsaid first conveyor means for arraying the thus staggered filters in asingle file.

9. In an apparatus for producing rod-shaped smokers articles havingmultiplex mouthpieces and including a tobacco-containing stick, aplurality of different types of rod-shaped filter members, and a singleadhesive-coated tubular wrapper constituting the sole means forconnecting the filter members to each other and to a portion of thestick, in combination, a source of sticks; separate sources of each typeof filter member, the filter members in each of said separate sourcesbeing parallel to each other and to the sticks in said first namedsource; conveyor means comprising a plurality of holder means parallelto the sticks and to the filter members in the respective sources, saidconveyor means being arranged to advance said holder means sideways;separate feeding means for supplying the sticks and the filter membersonly sideways all the way from the respective sources and intoconsecutive holder means so that each of the thus supplied holder meanscontains an assembly composed of a plurality of unconnected rod-shapedcomponents and including a stick and a plurality of different filtermembers adjacent to one end of the respective stick; a source ofadhesive-coated wrappers; and means for convoluting wrappers coming fromsaid source singly around consecutive assemblies so that each suchwrapper forms a tube around the filter members and the adjacent portionof the stick in the respective assembly and that each such wrapperconstitutes the sole connector between the respective stick and filtermembers.

10. A structure as set forth in claim 9, further comprising anadditional source containing a supply of one type of filter rod having alengthwhich is a multiple of the length of the corresponding filtermembers, said filter rods being parallel to said sticks and said filtermembers, additional conveyor means for advancing the filter rodssideways from said additional source to the source of the correspondingfilter members, cutting means cooperating with said additional conveyormeans for subdividing consecutive filter rods into filter members, andmeans for arraying the thus obtained filter members in at least one filewhile such filter members move sideways in a direction toward thesecond-named source.

11. A structure as set forth in claim 9, further comprising collectingconveyor means for receiving wrapped assemblies from consecutive holdermeans of said first named conveyor means and for advancing suchassemblies sideways.

12. A structure as set forth in claim 9, wherein said conveyor meanscomprises a plurality of parallel rotary drums and wherein said holdermeans are constituted by axially parallel equidistant pockets providedin the peripheries of said drums.

13. An apparatus for producing rod-shaped smokers articles of doubleunit length having multiplex mouthpieces of double unit length andincluding a pair of axially spaced tobacco-containing sticks, a pair ofaxially spaced rod-shaped filter elements of a first type and of unitlength disposed between the sticks, a rod-shaped filter of a second typeand of double unit length disposed between the filter elements, and atubular wrapper constituting the sole means for connecting the filterelements with the filter and with the sticks, said apparatus comprisinga source of filters; a source of pairs of filter elements includingmeans for discharging a series of filter rods of the first type and ofmultiple unit length; a source of pairs of tobacco-containing sticksg'asource of adhesivecoated wrappers; a first rotary shufiling drum havingaxially parallel equidistant peripheral holders; means for feedingfilters from the respective source into consecutive holders of saidfirst shufiling drum; means for feeding pairs of axially spaced filterelements from the respective source into consecutive holders of saidfirst shuffling drum so that each filter is disposed between and formswith the respective pair of filter elements a multiplex mouthpiece ofdouble unit length, including cutting means for subdividing consecutivefilter rods into plugs of double unit length, a rotary staggering drumdisposed between said cutting means and said first shuflling drum forstaggering the plugs obtained by subdivision of consecutive filter rodsin the direction in which said staggering drum rotates, an aligning drumdisposed between said staggering drum and said first shuffiing drum forarraying the thus staggered plugs in a single file, cutter means forsubdividing consecutive plugs of said single file into pairs of filterelements of unit length, and a spreading drum disposed between saidcutter means and said first shuffling drum for axially shifting thefilter elements of consecutive pairs to provide between such pairs offilter elements gaps wide enough to receive a filter of the second typeand of double unit length; a second rotary shuffiing drum having aplurality of axially parallel equidistant peripheral holders;means forfeeding mouthpieces from the holders of said first shuflling drum intoconsecutive holders of said second shuffling drum; means for feedingpairs of axially spaced tobacco-containing sticks from the respectivesource into consecutive holders of said second shufiling drum so thateach mouthpiece is located between the respective pair of sticks; andmeans for feeding adhesivecoated Wrappers from the respective source andfor convoluting such wrappers around consecutive mouthpieces and aroundthe adjacent portions of the sticks so as to form smokers articles ofdouble unit length.

14. An apparatus for producing rod-shaped smokers articles havingmultiplex mouthpieces of double unit length and including a pair ofaxially spaced wrapped tobacco-containing sticks, a pair of axiallyspaced rodshaped filter elements of a first type and of unit lengthdisposed between the sticks, a rod-shaped filter of a second type and ofdouble unit length disposed between the filter elements, and anadhesive-coated wrapper constituting the sole means for connecting thefilter elements with the filter and with the sticks, said apparatuscomprising a source of filters; a source of'pairs of filter elementsincluding means for discharging a series of filter rods of the firsttype and of multiple unit length sideways; a source of pairs of wrappedtobacco-containing sticks; a source of adhesive-coated wrappers; firstshuttling con- 14 veyor means having elongated holder means and arrangedto advance said holder means sideways; means for feeding filters fromthe respective source into consecutive holder means of said firstshuffling conveyor means; means for feeding pairs of axially spacedfilter elements from the respective source into consecutive holder meansof said first shuffling conveyor means so that each filter is disposedbetween the respective pair of filter elements and forms therewith amultiplex mouthpiece of double unit length, including cutting means forsubdividing consecutively discharged filter rods into plugs of the firsttype and of double unit length, staggering means disposed between saidcutting means and said first shuflling conveyor means for staggering theplugs obtained by subdivision of consecutive filter rods in thedirection in which said staggering means proceeds, aligning meansdisposed between said staggering means and said first shuffling conveyormeans for arraying the thus staggered plugs in a single file, cuttermeans for subdividing the thus arrayed plugs into pairs of filterelements of unit length, and spreading means disposed between saidcutter means and said first shuffling conveyor means for axiallyshifting consecutive pairs of filter elements to provide between suchpairs of filter elements gaps wide enough to receive filters of thesecond type; second shuffling conveyor means having a plurality ofelongated holder means and arranged to move such holder means sideways;means for feeding mouthpieces from said first shufiling conveyor meansinto consecutive holder means of said second shufiling conveyor means;means for feeding pairs of axially spaced tobacco-containing sticks fromthe respective source into consecutive holder means of said secondconveyor means so that each mouthpiece is located between the respectivepair of sticks; and means for feeding wrappers from the respectivesource and for applying and convoluting such wrappers around consecutivemouthpieces and around the adjacent portions of the respective pairs ofsticks so as to form rod-shaped articles of double unit length.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,156,600 5/1939Molius 131-94 2,649,761 8/1953 Edwards l3l94 2,821,200 1/1958 Korber13194 2,867,219 1/1959 Hug 131-10 2,886,043 5/1959 Korber 131942,994,251 8/1961 Pollmann 13194 X 3,036,581 5/1962 Dearsley 131-943,039,367 6/1962 Stelzer 13l94 X 3,052,164 9/1962 Rowlands 131-94 X3,079,926 3/1963 Litchfield et al. 13110 3,088,359 5/1963 Schur 13194 X3,164,243 1/1965 Rudszinat et al. 13194 X SAMUEL KOREN, PrimaryExaminer. H. P. DEELEY, JR., Assistant Examiner.

1. AN AN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ROD-SHAPED SMOKERS'' ARTICLES OF DOUBLEUNIT LENGTH HAVING MULTIPLEX MOUTHPIECES OF DOUBLE UNIT LENGTH ANDINCLUDING A PAIR OF AXIALLY SPACED TOBACCO-CONTAINING STICKS, A PAIR OFROD-SHAPED FILTER ELEMENTS OF A FIRST TYPE AND OF UNIT LENGTH AXIALLYSPACED FROM EACH OTHER AND LOCATED BETWEEN THE STICKS, A ROD-SHAPEDFILTER OF A SECOND TYPE AND OF DOUBLE UNIT LENGTH LOCATED BETWEEN THEFILTER ELEMENTS, AND A SINGLE TUBULAR WRAPPER CONSTITUTING THE SOLEMEANS FOR CONNECTING THE FILTER ELEMENTS TO THE FILTER AND TO THEADJACENT PORTIONS OF THE STICKS, IN COMBINATION, SEPARATE SOURCE OFFILTERS, ADHESIVE-COATED WRAPPERS AND PAIRS OF STICKS; A SEPARATE SOURCEOF FILTER ELEMENT RODS OF MULTIPLE UNIT LENGTH; MEANS FOR SUBDIVIDINGEACH MULTIPLE LENGTH ROD INTO SUCCESSIVE PAIRS OF FILTER ELEMENTS, EACHOF SAID PAIRS OF FILTER ELEMENTS BEING AXIALLY ALIGNED AND SPACED FROMEACH OTHER; CONVEYOR MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF EQUIDISTANTPARALLEL HOLDING MEANS AND ARRANGED TO ADVANCE SUCH HOLDING MEANSSIDEWAYS; MEANS FOR FEEDING SAID FILTERS, SAID PAIRS OF FILTER ELEMENTSAND SAID PAIRS OF STICKS INTO CONSECUTIVE HOLDING MEANS OF SAID CONVEYORMEANS IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE THUS FED ROD-SHAPED PARTS ADVANCE ONLYSIDEWAYS ALL THE WAY FROM THE RESPECTIVE SOURCES, INTO, AND ALSO WITHTHE RESPECTIVE HOLDING MEANS TO FORM IN EACH HOLDING MEANS ANUNCONNECTED ASSEMBLY OF A FILTER, A PAIR OF FILTER ELEMENTS AND A PAIROF STICKS; MEANS FOR FEEDING SAID SINGLE WRAPPER EACH TO CONSECUTIVEHOLDING MEANS; AND MEANS FOR CONVOLUTING SUCH WRAPPERS AROUND THEFILTERS, FILTER ELEMENTS AND STICKS IN THE RESPECTIVE HOLDING MEANS.